The Sunday Mail
Lincoln Towindo
The United Nations is fully behind Zimbabwe’s socio-economic policies and broad objectives to uplift its citizens’ living standards, the humanitarian body has said.
It also acknowledges re-engagement with global financiers and development partners, as part of development-stimulating measures.
Government wants to revive the economy largely through immediate investment, with employment-creation and natural resource beneficiation as primary targets.
These objectives are underpinned by Zim-Asset and reinforced by the 10-Point Economic Growth Plan.
On the policy list are human capital development, indigenisation and economic empowerment, social services and poverty eradication, infrastructure development, transport, access to land and agriculture development and natural resource exploitation.
The UN has set aside US$1,6 billion under the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework to help fund Zim-Asset projects from 2016 through to 2020.
Communications specialist in the UN Resident Co-ordinator’s Office Mr Sirak Gebrehiwot told The Sunday Mail, “We, the United Nations System in Zimbabwe, would like to pledge our full support to the ongoing economic and budgetary reform measures being implemented by the Government to stimulate growth and improve the social and economic well-being of the people of Zimbabwe.
“We recognise the prevailing economic challenges which include a slowdown in growth, low international commodity prices, high levels of unemployment and poverty, increasing informalisation of economic activity, low agricultural productivity, and low domestic and foreign direct investment.”
He went on: “In face of the challenges, Zimbabwe, with major support from development partners, has managed to restore and sustain the provision of basic social services. According to latest national surveys supported by the United Nations such as the 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and the MDGs progress report, the number of women who die from pregnancy-related complications has decreased from 3,840 a year in 2009 to 2,456 a year in 2014.
“In addition, deaths of children aged five years and below have similarly declined from 37,600 a year in 2009 to 30,000 in 2014. In the education sector, the net enrolment rate remained high at 92 percent and the literacy rate at 99,6 percent in 2014. Moreover, the number of new HIV infections annually has declined from 100,000 a decade ago to 64,000 last year, while the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV has reduced to 9 percent in 2014 from 22 percent in 2009.”
On sustainable development, Mr Gebrehiwot said: “In light of the current situation, continued strong engagement of development partners and maintaining the level of development assistance remains critical. However, as the ongoing economic recovery and growth reform measures start to bear fruits, the country would need to take measures to sustain these efforts.
“In this regard, we welcome the Government’s ongoing efforts to rationalise expenditures and create sufficient space for capital, social and development expenditures. We reiterate our support to the formulation and implementation of policies that will positively contribute to improving the well-being of all Zimbabweans.”
Economic analyst Mr Kingstone Kanyile said Government’s economic policies inspired confidence.
“You have to look at the UN statement from the perspectives of the reforms being implemented by Government to jolt the economy into action. Firstly, the deals to refurbish power stations which will result in the country generating more power and that will prove a boon for industry.
“Secondly, the debt clearance plan between Government and some international financiers will provide confidence and open up the way for the supply of lines of credit in future and this will also spur growth.”
He also said: “Thirdly, the successful completion of the last stage of the Staff Monitored Programme by Government shows that there is sound macro-economic management.
“Finally, the ongoing reforms relating to the improvement of the ease of doing business and harmonising investment laws is making Zimbabwe a very competitive investment destination. Because of these and other reforms, Zimbabwe is in good stead for a bright future.”
